PROJECT RESULTS / Annual Technical Results
Year 5 : ESDRED TECHNICAL RESULTS to January 2009
Presentation
Module 1- Module 2
- Module 3
- Module 4
Module 1: Buffer Construction Technology for Horizontal Disposal Concepts
Summary :
In the 5th project year, the partners ONDRAF/NIRAS, EURIDICE, GRS and NDA and have finalized their remaining technical work within ESDRED. The partners ANDRA and NAGRA had already accomplished their technical scope in the preceding project year.
O/N and EURIDICE have executed the grout injection backfill test on the 30 m long full-scale mock-up. The technical feasibility of the injection technique was demonstrated, but the post-test evaluation also concluded that modifications to the grout composition will be necessary in future R&D (outside ESDRED), to achieve a sufficient setting rate after injection.
GRS has continued to run the performance tests on four seals of different clay/sand composition in boreholes in the Mont Terri URL. The results so far of these in situ tests, and also the results obtained from the preceding laboratory mock-up tests, confirm the advantageous sealing properties of moderately compacted clay/sand mixtures.
NDA has continued the non-intrusive monitoring development program based on in situ seismic tomography testing around the HG-A tunnel in the Mont Terri URL. The work undertaken confirms the general feasibility of high-resolution seismic measurements for monitoring waste repositories.
EURIDICE has completed the design of the steel support structure of the PRACLAY seal in the Mol URL. Further computer analyses and laboratory testing have improved the understanding of the interaction between the sealing material (MX-80) and the host rock.
Work completed:
- O/N and EURIDICE have executed (on April 8th 2008) the grout injection backfill test on the 30 m long full-scale mock-up of a horizontal annular cavity around HLW disposal packages. The technical feasibility of the injection technique was demonstrated, but the post-test evaluation also concluded that the water/cement ratio of the specific grout will need to be reduced in future R&D (outside ESDRED), to ensure that the backfill grout becomes hard shortly after injection. view pictures
- GRS has continued to run the performance tests on four seals of different clay/sand composition in boreholes in the Mont Terri URL. The results so far of these in situ tests, and also the results obtained from the preceding (and still ongoing) laboratory mock-up tests, confirm the advantageous sealing properties of moderately compacted clay/sand mixtures. The water breakthrough and associated gas injection test on the N° 2 laboratory mock-up took place in January 2009 view picture
- NDA has continued the non-intrusive monitoring development program based on in situ seismic tomography testing around the HG-A tunnel in the Mont Terri URL. In the 5th project year, the main achievements were the finalization of the software anisotropic model of the clay test environment and the further development of associated full wave inversion code. view pictures
- EURIDICE completed the design of the steel support structure of the PRACLAY seal. Also, further computerized scoping calculations and laboratory testing have been performed to improve the understanding of the interaction between the sealing material (for which MX-80 was chosen) and the Boom Clay host rock. view pictures
- All Module 1 partners have documented their work within ESDRED in a number of dedicated technical reports and one Module 1 summary report.
Work in progress: Work within ESDRED has been completed
Important Events Planned for 2009:
(In direct association with the work performed within ESDRED)
- ONDRAF/NIRAS + EURIDICE:
- It is being contemplated to make a slice-cut of the 30 m long mockup, to show the complete void filling of the annular gap. No precise planning can be given for the moment.
- NDA:
- Nitrogen injection in the HG-A tunnel accompanied by an additional Measurement Campaign around mid-2009.
- Finalization of the Full Wave Inversion code (by ETH).
- Continuation of the non-intrusive monitoring experiment at Grimsel Hard Rock Laboratory (spin-off project of ESDRED)
- EURIDICE:
- Installation of the PRACLAY seal (support structure and MX-80 seal material) is expected to take place in the second half of 2009.
- GRS:
- Continuation of the water injection in the four in-situ experiment boreholes at Mont Terri URL, until full saturation is achieved. After full saturation, perform nitrogen injection to see gas break-trough. It is difficult to give a precise planning, but these events are expected to take place in the second half of 2009.